One of the country’s top comedians will be heading to Bristol next year and providing his audiences with a belly full of laughs.

Tickets to Bill Bailey’s stand-up shows are always much-sought after and his visit to the Bristol Hippodrome is unlikely to be any different.

It is set to be almost a home gig for Bailey, having been brought up just down the road in Keynsham.

Bailey will embark on a monstrous six-month tour of the UK with his latest show, Larks In Transit. It is based on the shenanigans and misadventures of his past 20 years working as a travelling comedian.

Armed with musical virtuosity, Bailey will take audiences on a range of hilarious and surreal tangents – where the comedian will perfectly blend frivolity with meaty subjects like politics, philosophy and the pursuit of happiness.

The 53-year-old has been described as ‘the brainiest comic of his generation’ by The Daily Telegraph, but his shows are the ideal cocktail of silliness and intelligence.

Bailey has also forged an exceptional career in television, starring in the cult-favourite comedy Black Books.

He has made regular appearances on top BBC shows like Never Mind The Buzzcocks, Have I Got News For You and QI.

In addition to his brilliant wit, Bailey possesses exceptional talent on a range of instruments including piano and guitar, plus impressive vocal skills, meaning his musical dabbles do not make for unpleasant listening.

Tickets are set to be in high demand, with his shows certain to be an entertaining experience with him having two decades’ worth of anecdotes to call on.

The Guardian has hailed it as ‘one of Bailey’s best shows for years’, while The Sunday Times awarded Larks In Transit with a rare five-star rating – describing at as an ‘exquisite romp through every comic trope’.

And Bailey’s homecoming shows are known to be extra special, with an open-air performance at Bristol City’s Ashton Gate stadium drawing a massive crowd in 2010.

Bailey will take to the stage at Bristol’s Hippodrome from May 10-11 at 8pm.

* Tickets for this show, priced £34.45, are available from ATG Tickets on 08448 713012 or at www.atgtickets.com